Accessibility at Bedgebury

If you require more detailed or specific access information please call 01580 879820 or email bedgebury@forestry.gsi.gov.uk for further information or enquire at the Visitor Information Office during your next visit.

Parking

Bedgebury has designated disabled parking bays that lead to a short tarmac hill that takes you down to the visitor centre.

Visitor Centre

The Visitor Centre is a single storey building that includes a Cafe, Friends of Bedgebury Office and a Visitor Information Office. As well as both male and female WC's it also has a unisex accessible WC and shower. There is a separate Cycle Shop in the car park, with adapted cycles for hire. Contact Quench Cycles for further information.

Surfaces

Path surfaces around the Pinetum and Play Trail are all firm and vary from tarmac to a hardened and compacted surface, some with a sprinkling of fine stones < 20mm. There is one area of boardwalk leading down from the visitor centre to the Pinetum that wheelchair users may find a little bumpy, though there is an alternative route available if this is likely to cause a problem. Please note that the Play Trail may become wet or muddy during the winter months.

The family cycle trail is generally firm, with a sprinkling of stones and some steeper gradients. Further into the forest the majority of paths are firm and well compacted during the summer but some areas will become muddy with puddles during the winter months and also incorporate some much steeper gradients.

Gradients

The Pinetum Trail and Play Trail are both labelled as 'Easy Access'. On these routes the gradients have been minimised where possible. Throughout the rest of the Pinetum and Forest there are one or two gradients which some people may find challenging. However there are plenty of benches and resting points in the Pinetum and seating is available at every piece of play equipment on the Play Trail.

Wheelchairs

There is also one manual wheelchair that can be borrowed from the visitor centre. For more information please call 01580 879820.

Please Note

Some everyday mobility vehicles are more suited to urban environments and may struggle in the deeper forest. We do not recommend the use of the smaller three wheeled personal mobility vehicles, as these can be particularly unstable on uneven ground.

Visitors' Comments

"I am a paraplegic, totally wheelchair bound, with a young family. We all love the Pinetum and the access here is second to none."

"I was so incredibly grateful to be able to hire the Tramper and to once again enjoy the beauty, peace and tranquility of this wonderful place."